Compressed gas cylinder actuation device

ABSTRACT

An actuator for opening a hermetically sealed cylinder is disclosed herein. The actuator includes an actuation chamber configured to receive pressurized gas, the actuation chamber at least partially defined by a top wall and a bottom wall, a cutter body disposed within the actuation chamber between the top wall and the bottom wall, the cutter body including a top portion and a bottom portion, a cutting edge extending from the bottom portion of the cutter body, and a spring disposed between the top portion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of the actuation chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, India PatentApplication No. 202241034027 (DAS CODE: F0B2), filed Aug. 10, 2022, andtitled “COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER ACTUATION DEVICE,” which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates opening gas cylinders and, morespecifically, to opening compressed gas cylinders.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft survival systems such as passenger emergency evacuation slidesand life support oxygen systems use the pressurized gas stored incylinders. Currently, compressed gas cylinders use a valve module thatis directly assembled to the cylinder that allows the compressed gas toexit the cylinder. The valve may also be used to fill the cylinder withgas. However, the valve is prone to leaking air from the cylinder overtime. Additionally, the valve is generally attached to the cylinderusing a threaded interface and a static seal at the threaded interfacethat may be prone to leaking over time. Currently, regular maintenanceis scheduled to overhaul and maintain the cylinder and valve includingrefilling the cylinder to compensate for the gas that has leaked.Maintenance may further involve replacing the static seals with newstatic seals. This maintenance increases the down time and cost of thecompressed gas cylinders.

SUMMARY

An actuator for opening a hermetically sealed cylinder is disclosedherein. The actuator includes an actuation chamber configured to receivepressurized gas, the actuation chamber at least partially defined by atop wall and a bottom wall, a cutter body disposed within the actuationchamber between the top wall and the bottom wall, the cutter bodyincluding a top portion and a bottom portion, a cutting edge extendingfrom the bottom portion of the cutter body, and a spring disposedbetween the top portion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of theactuation chamber.

In various embodiments, the actuation chamber is further defined by asidewall extending from the top wall to the bottom wall andcircumferentially around the cutter body and the top portion of cutterbody contacts the sidewall of the actuation chamber. In variousembodiments, the actuator for opening a hermetically sealed cylinderfurther includes an O-ring disposed circumferentially around the topportion of the cutter body and between the top portion of the cutterbody and the sidewall of the actuation chamber. In various embodiments,the actuator for opening a hermetically sealed cylinder further includesa leak vent fitting extending through the sidewall and into theactuation chamber.

In various embodiments, the spring is configured to move from anuncompressed state to a compressed state in response to the cutter bodymoving in a first direction. In various embodiments, the cutter bodymoves in the first direction in response to a force exerted on the topsurface of the cutter body. In various embodiments, the actuator foropening a hermetically sealed cylinder further includes a second cuttingedge extending from the bottom portion of the cutter body, the secondcutting edge separated from the cutting edge by a distance.

Also disclosed herein is a system including a cylinder having anopening, a fracture disk coupled to the cylinder and over the opening,and an actuator configured to break the fracture disk. The actuatorincludes an actuation chamber configured to receive pressurized gas, theactuation chamber is partial defined by a top wall and a bottom wall, acutter body disposed within the actuation chamber between the top walland the bottom wall, the cutter body including a top portion and abottom portion, a cutting edge extending from the bottom portion of thecutter body and configured to break the fracture disk in response tomoving in a first direction, and a spring disposed between the topportion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of the actuation chamber.

In various embodiments, the actuation chamber is further defined by asidewall extending from the top wall to the bottom wall andcircumferentially around the cutter body and the top portion of cutterbody contacts the sidewall of the actuation chamber. In variousembodiments, the actuator further includes an O-ring disposedcircumferentially around the top portion of the cutter body and betweenthe top portion of the cutter body and the sidewall of the actuationchamber.

In various embodiments, the system further includes a pressure cartridgedisposed adjacent the actuator, the pressure cartridge configured toforce pressurized gas into the actuation chamber. In variousembodiments, the spring is configured to move from an uncompressed stateto a compressed state in response to the pressurized gas in theactuation chamber moving the cutter body in the first direction. Invarious embodiments, the actuator further includes a second cutting edgeextending from the bottom portion of the cutter body, the second cuttingedge separated from the cutting edge by a distance. In variousembodiments, the cylinder holds a second pressurized gas and theactuator further includes a gas outlet to vent the second pressurizedgas from the cylinder in response to the fracture disk being broken.

Also disclosed herein is a system including a cylinder having anopening, a fracture disk coupled to the cylinder and over the opening,and an actuator configured to break the fracture disk. The actuatorincludes an actuation chamber configured to receive pressurized gas, theactuation chamber is partial defined by a top wall and a bottom wall, acutter body disposed within the actuation chamber between the top walland the bottom wall, the cutter body including a top portion and abottom portion, a central stem extending through the cutter body andcontacting the fracture disk, a cutting edge extending from the bottomportion of the cutter body and configured to break the fracture disk inresponse to moving in a first direction, and a spring disposed betweenthe top portion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of the actuationchamber.

In various embodiments, the actuator further includes a second cuttingedge extending from the bottom portion of the cutter body, wherein thereis a distance between the cutting edge and the second cutting edge. Invarious embodiments, the central stem further extends between thecutting edge and the second cutting edge. In various embodiments, theactuator further includes a compression spring disposed between thecentral stem and the top wall of the actuation chamber.

In various embodiments, the fracture disk further includes a notchformed in a bottom surface of the fracture disk, the notch configured tobe inline with the cutting edge. In various embodiments, the cutter bodyis configured to move independent of the central stem.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in any combination,without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. Thesefeatures and elements as well as the operation of the disclosedembodiments will become more apparent in light of the followingdescription and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may bestbe obtained by referring to the following detailed description andclaims in connection with the following drawings. While the drawingsillustrate various embodiments employing the principles describedherein, the drawings do not limit the scope of the claims.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an actuation device for opening a pressurizedcylinder, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a fracture disk connected to a pressurizedcylinder, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a fracture disk including notches connectedto a pressurized cylinder, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an actuation device for opening a pressurizedcylinder, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of various embodiments herein makesreference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodimentsby way of illustration. While these various embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thedisclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may berealized and that changes may be made without departing from the scopeof the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presentedfor purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. Furthermore,any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any referenceto more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment orstep. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like mayinclude permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full or any otherpossible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to withoutcontact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimalcontact. It should also be understood that unless specifically statedotherwise, references to “a,” “an” or “the” may include one or more thanone and that reference to an item in the singular may also include theitem in the plural. Further, all ranges may include upper and lowervalues and all ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined.

An actuation device for opening a hermetically sealed compressed gascylinder is disclosed herein. The hermetically sealed compressed gascylinders may be used aboard aircraft with inflatable evacuation slides,inflatable life rafts, and oxygen systems, among other uses.Accordingly, storage of the hermetically sealed compressed gas cylinderis designed for maximum service life with little to no leakage. Thehermetically sealed compressed gas cylinder, in various embodiments,utilizes a welded construction including a thin metallic fracture disk,or diaphragm, to seal the cylinder. The fracture disk may be fusion orcold welded to the cylinder, in various embodiments. Gas is releasedfrom the compressed gas cylinder in response to the fracture disk beingbroken or opened. This reduces the need for or eliminates the staticnon-metallic seal that is commonly used in compressed gas cylindersaboard aircraft, exhibiting little to no leakage and reducing the needfor or eliminating the use of elastomeric seals. In various embodiments,the hermetically sealed compressed gas cylinder may be filled from aport in the bottom of the cylinder or similar method. The port may bedesigned such that the cylinder is sealed after being filled.

In various embodiments, the actuation device disclosed herein uses asolenoid operated pressure cartridge to operate a cutter having a knifeedge interface. In various embodiments, the cutter is assembled inside amanifold that is connected to the hermetically sealed compressed gascylinder. In various embodiments, the cutter knife edge is initiallylocated a distance away from the fracture disk. In various embodiments,the cutter knife edge is pushed toward the fracture disk in response topressurized gas being released from the pressure cartridge by thesolenoid. This ruptures the fracture disk and allows the gas in thehermetically sealed compressed gas cylinder to flow out.

As the size of the hermetically sealed compressed gas cylinderincreases, the diameter of the fracture disk may increase. This mayintroduce a higher stress on the fracture disk causing the fracture diskto bulge or bow outward. In various embodiments, the actuation devicemay include a stem that interfaces with the fracture disk andcounteracts the bulge of the fracture disk. In various embodiments, thestem may be spring loaded.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with variousembodiments, cross section views of an actuation device 100 for openinga pressurized cylinder 102 is illustrated. FIG. 1A illustrates actuationdevice 100 in a closed position. FIG. 1B illustrates actuation device100 in an open position. Pressurized cylinder 102 includes an opening104, metal inserts 106, and a fracture disk 108. Metal inserts 106 areconnected to opening 104 and around the circumference of opening 104. Invarious embodiments, metal inserts 106 may be welded to opening 104 ofpressurized cylinder 102. Fracture disk 108, also referred to as adiaphragm, is connected to metal inserts 106. In various embodiments,metal inserts 106 may be formed of a single piece. In variousembodiments, fracture disk 108 may be cold welded or fusion welded tometal inserts 106. In various embodiments, pressurized cylinder 102 ishermetically sealed. In various embodiments, pressurized cylinder 102may be filled with pressurized gas from a bottom portion (e.g., thenegative y-direction) of pressurized cylinder 102. Opening 104 has adiameter d1 that may be any suitable size for a pressurized cylinder. Invarious embodiments, diameter d1 may be about 3 cm (about 1.18 inches)to about 30 cm (about 11.8 inches), and more specifically, about 7 cm(about 2.76 inches) to about 15 cm (about 5.91 inches). Larger andsmaller values for diameter d1 are contemplated.

Actuation device 100 includes a pressure cartridge 110 and a manifold112, where the manifold 112 is connected to the pressurized cylinder102. In various embodiments, manifold 112 is threaded onto pressurizedcylinder 102.

Pressure cartridge 110 includes a fill valve 114, a pressure cavity 116,a pressure sensor 118, a spring 120, an air gap 122, a plunger 124, abottom wall 126 (e.g., in the negative y-direction), and an upper wall127 (e.g., in the positive y-direction). Fill valve 114 may be used tointroduce air into pressure cavity 116 and pressurize the air inpressure cavity 116. In various embodiments, fill valve 114 may be aSchrader type valve. In various embodiments, fill valve 114 may beanother type of valve used to fill a pressurized space, such as pressurecavity 116. Pressure sensor 118 monitors the air pressure in pressurecavity 116 and provides an indication of the readiness of actuationdevice 100 for use. In various embodiments, pressure sensor 118 may be amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, though other types ofpressure sensors are contemplated. Spring 120 provides a downward force(e.g., the negative y-direction) on plunger 124, pressing plunger 124onto bottom wall 126 thereby sealing pressure cartridge 110. Air gap 122is formed between plunger 124 and upper wall 127.

FIG. 1A illustrates actuation device 100, and more specifically pressurecartridge 110, in a closed position. Actuation device 100 furtherincludes electromagnets 129 disposed circumferentially around plunger124. Plunger 124 and electromagnets 129 may form a solenoid foractuating actuation device 100. Electromagnets 129 engage in response toan electric current being provided. Plunger 124 is drawn upward (e.g.,in the y-direction), pressure cartridge 110, in response toelectromagnets 129 engaging. Plunger 124 compresses spring 120, closingair gap 122, to open pressure cartridge 110 in response to being drawnupward (e.g., in the y-direction). FIG. 1B illustrated actuation device100, and more pressure cartridge 110, in an open position. In the openposition, pressurized air in pressure cavity 116 pass through an airchannel 125 in plunger 124 and through an air channel 128 in bottom wall126, exiting pressure cartridge 110 and into manifold 112.

Manifold 112 includes an actuation chamber 130, a leak vent fitting 132,a compression spring 134, a cutter body 136, one or more cutting edges138, and an air outlet 140 within a manifold body. Pressurized air flowsinto actuation chamber 130 from pressure cartridge 110 through airchannel 128. The pressurized air exerts a downward force (e.g., in thenegative y-direction) on cutter body 136, thereby compressingcompression spring 134 and pushing the one or more cutting edges 138through fracture disk 108. Pressurized air in pressurized cylinder 102exerts an upward force (e.g., in the y-direction) on cutter body 136,opening air outlet 140, and allowing the pressurized air frompressurized cylinder 102 to flow out air outlet 140. An O-ring seal 137may be placed around cutter body 136 to seal actuation chamber 130 andprevent air from leaking between manifold body 142 and cutter body 136.

Leak vent fitting 132 decreases the chance of an inadvertent actuationof cutter body 136 by venting gasses that are leaked into actuationchamber 130 from pressure cartridge 110. Leak vent fitting 132 vents airfrom actuation chamber 130 in response to the air being below anactuation pressure Pa. When pressure cartridge 110 is in the closedstate, air may leak into actuation chamber 130 and leak vent fitting 132may vent the air after reaching a leak pressure Pi but before reachingthe actuation pressure Pa. That is, leak vent fitting 132 is able tovent air slowly entering actuation chamber 130. When pressure cartridge110 is in the open state, leak vent fitting 132 may vent air but notquick enough to keep the air pressure in actuation chamber belowactuation pressure Pa. That is, pressurized air quickly fills actuationchamber 130 in response to pressure cartridge being activated.

Cutting edges 138 are separated from one another by a distance d2. Invarious embodiments, distance d2 may be about 1 cm (about 0.394 inch) toabout 5 cm (about 1.97 inches), and more specifically, about 2 cm (about0.787 inch) to about 4 cm (about 1.57 inches). In various embodiments,distance d2 may be a percentage of d1 where d2 is about 10% to about 30%of d1, and more specifically, about 15% to about 20% of d1. Cuttingedges 138 are separated from fracture disk 108 a distance d3 (e.g., inthe y-direction). Distance d3 may be about 0.5 cm (about 0.197 inch) toabout 5 cm (about 1.97 inches), and more specifically, about 1 cm (about0.394 inch) to about 2 cm (about 0.787 inch). Distance d3 lessens thechances of cutting edges 138 inadvertently puncturing, or breaking,fracture disk 108. Compression spring 134 further lessens the chances ofcutting edges 138 inadvertently puncturing fracture disk 108.

FIG. 1A illustrates actuation device 100, and more specifically manifold112, in the closed position with cutting edges 138 above (e.g., in thenegative y-direction) fracture disk 108 distance d3. Leak vent fitting132 vents any air leaked into actuation chamber 130 prevent actuation ofcutter body 136, and more specifically, cutting edges 138. FIG. 1Billustrates actuation device 100, and more specifically manifold 112, inthe open position with cutting edges 138 pushed through fracture disk108. In the open position, cutting edges 138 break through fracture disk108 thereby opening pressurized cylinder 102. The pressurized air inpressurized cylinder 102 pushes cutter body 136 upward (e.g., in they-direction) and away from pressurized cylinder 102, allowing the air toexit pressurized cylinder 102 into manifold 112 and out through airoutlet 140. In various embodiments, air outlet 140 may be connected toan inflatable slide, an inflatable raft, or an oxygen system, amongother applications.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in accordance with variousembodiments, close up cross section views of actuation device 100connected to pressurized cylinder 102 are illustrated. FIG. 2Aillustrates fracture disk 108, including metal insert 106, connected toopening 104 of a cylinder 102′ that is in an unpressurized condition,that is, before being pressurized. In the depicted embodiments, metalinsert 106 is a unitary piece that extending around the circumference ofopening 104 and is connected to cylinder 102′ as described above.Fracture disk 108 extends over (e.g., in the y-direction) metal insert106 and is connected to metal insert 106, as described above. There isno force exerted on fracture disk 108 before cylinder 102′ ispressurized, therefore fracture disk 108 remains horizontal with respectto opening 104 (e.g., in the x-plane).

FIG. 2B illustrates fracture disk 108′, including metal inserts 106,connected to opening 104 of pressurized cylinder 102 in a pressurizedcondition, that is, after being pressurized. As illustrated, fracturedisk 108′ may bulge, or expand, away from pressurized cylinder 102(e.g., in the y-direction). In the pressurized condition, fracture disk108′ is in a deformed condition and a maximum amount of stress onfracture disk 108′ is in the central region, as indicated by the bulge.Because the pressure on fracture disk 108′ and the result bulge, cuttingedge 138 is a distance d4 from fracture disk 108′, where distance d4 isless than distance d3. Accordingly, as described above, distance d2separates cutting edges 138 provides a gap between cutting edges 138 toavoid inadvertently contacting fracture disk 108′. It should be notedthat as diameter d1 of pressurized cylinder 102 increases, the bulge atthe center of fracture disk 108′ may increase, further reducing distanced4 between fracture disk 108′ and cutting edges 138.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in accordance with variousembodiments, close up cross section views of actuation device 100connected to pressurized cylinder 102 are illustrated. FIG. 3Aillustrates a fracture disk 308 including notches 310 formed thereinconnected to cylinder 102′ in the unpressurized condition. In thedepicted embodiment, two notches 310 formed in a bottom surface offracture disk 308 (e.g., the negative y-direction). In variousembodiments, any number of notches 310 may be formed in the bottomsurface of the fracture disk 308. In various embodiments, notches 310may extend about 10% to about 50% of the thickness of fracture disk 308,and more specifically, about 20% to about 30% of the thickness offracture disk 308. In various embodiments, notches 310 may be formed asinverted “V” shaped along a diameter of fracture disk 308. In variousembodiments, notches 310 may be formed as conical shaped in variouslocations around fracture disk 308. In various embodiments, notches 310may be rectangular, or another shape. Notches 310 reduce the cuttingforce used to rupture fracture disk 308. As illustrated, notches 310 arevertically below (e.g., in the negative y-direction) cutting edges 138,further reducing the cutting force used to rupture fracture disk 308.

FIG. 3B illustrates a fracture disk 308′ including notches 310 formedtherein connected to pressurized cylinder 102 in the pressurizedcondition. As described above, with respect to FIG. 2B, the force frompressurized cylinder 102 may cause bulging, or bowing, of fracture disk308′. Notches 310 have little to no effect on the integrity of fracturedisk 308′ allowing fracture disk 308′ to remain intact until puncturedby cutting edges 138.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in accordance with variousembodiments, an actuation device 400 for opening a pressurized cylinder402 is illustrated. Actuation device 400 includes similar components tothose described above with respect to actuation device 100 referenced inFIGS. 1A and 1B, including pressure cartridge 110 and manifold 112 andtheir respective corresponding components. Actuation device 400, similarto actuation device 100, is connected to pressurized cylinder 402 asdescribed above. Description of repeated components may not be repeatedhere. Pressurized cylinder 402 has an opening 404 that is sealed by afracture disk 408. Opening 404 has a diameter d5 that is greater thandiameter d1 of opening 104. Accordingly, fracture disk 408 is largerthan fracture disk 108. The increased diameter d5 of opening 404 andincreased size of fracture disk 408 may result in bulging of fracturedisk 408 as described above with respect to FIGS. 2B and 3B.

Actuation device 400 further includes a central stem 450 extendingthrough cutter body 136 and in between cutting edges 138 to counteractany bulging that may occur in fracture disk 408. Central stem 450includes a bottom portion 450 a that is in contact with an upper surfaceof fracture disk 408. Central stem 450 further includes an upper portion450 b that is in contact with a spring 452. Spring provides a downwardforce (e.g., in the negative y-direction) on central stem 450 causingcentral stem 450 to exert a downward force (e.g., in the negativey-direction) on fracture disk 408. An O-ring seal 437 may be placedbetween central stem 450 and cutter body 136 to seal actuation chamber130 and prevent gas from leaking through during actuation.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in whichreference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is usedin the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to meanthat A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present inan embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that anycombination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a singleembodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denotedifferent parts but not necessarily to denote the same or differentmaterials.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described mayinclude a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed. After reading the description, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure inalternative embodiments.

Numbers, percentages, or other values stated herein are intended toinclude that value, and also other values that are about orapproximately equal to the stated value, as would be appreciated by oneof ordinary skill in the art encompassed by various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpretedbroadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to thestated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result.The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in asuitable industrial process, and may include values that are within 10%,within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.Additionally, the terms “substantially,” “about” or “approximately” asused herein represent an amount close to the stated amount that stillperforms a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example,the term “substantially,” “about” or “approximately” may refer to anamount that is within 10% of, within 5% of, within 1% of, within 0.1%of, and within 0.01% of a stated amount or value.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under theprovisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recitedusing the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Finally, it should be understood that any of the above describedconcepts can be used alone or in combination with any or all of theother above described concepts. Although various embodiments have beendisclosed and described, one of ordinary skill in this art wouldrecognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of thisdisclosure. Accordingly, the description is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the principles described or illustrated herein toany precise form. Many modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above teaching.

What is claimed is:
 1. An actuator for opening a hermetically sealedcylinder, comprising: an actuation chamber configured to receivepressurized gas, the actuation chamber at least partially defined by atop wall and a bottom wall; a cutter body disposed within the actuationchamber between the top wall and the bottom wall, the cutter bodyincluding a top portion and a bottom portion; a cutting edge extendingfrom the bottom portion of the cutter body; a spring disposed betweenthe top portion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of the actuationchamber; and a pressure cartridge coupled to the actuation chamber andconfigured to actuate the cutter body, the pressure cartridge including:a pressure cavity; a fill valve configured to introduce air into thepressure cavity; an air channel coupled to the actuation chamber; and aplunger disposed between the pressure cavity and the air channel, theplunger configured to seal the air channel when in a closed position andto allow pressurized air to flow through the air channel into theactuation chamber in an open position.
 2. The actuator for opening ahermetically sealed cylinder of claim 1, wherein the actuation chamberis further defined by a sidewall extending from the top wall to thebottom wall and circumferentially around the cutter body, and whereinthe top portion of cutter body contacts the sidewall of the actuationchamber.
 3. The actuator for opening a hermetically sealed cylinder ofclaim 2, further comprising: an O-ring disposed circumferentially aroundthe top portion of the cutter body and between the top portion of thecutter body and the sidewall of the actuation chamber.
 4. The actuatorfor opening a hermetically sealed cylinder of claim 2, furthercomprising: a leak vent fitting extending through the sidewall and intothe actuation chamber.
 5. The actuator for opening a hermetically sealedcylinder of claim 1, wherein the spring is configured to move from anuncompressed state to a compressed state in response to the cutter bodymoving in a first direction.
 6. The actuator for opening a hermeticallysealed cylinder of claim 5, wherein the cutter body moves in the firstdirection in response to a force exerted on the top surface of thecutter body.
 7. The actuator for opening a hermetically sealed cylinderof claim 1, further comprising: a second cutting edge extending from thebottom portion of the cutter body, the second cutting edge separatedfrom the cutting edge by a distance.
 8. A system, comprising: a cylinderhaving an opening; a fracture disk coupled to the cylinder and over theopening; an actuator configured to break the fracture disk, the actuatorcomprising: an actuation chamber configured to receive pressurized gas,the actuation chamber is partially defined by a top wall and a bottomwall; a cutter body disposed within the actuation chamber between thetop wall and the bottom wall, the cutter body including a top portionand a bottom portion; a cutting edge extending from the bottom portionof the cutter body and configured to break the fracture disk in responseto moving in a first direction; a spring disposed between the topportion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of the actuation chamber;and a pressure cartridge coupled to the actuation chamber and configuredto actuate the cutter body, the pressure cartridge including; a pressurecavity; a fill valve configured to introduce air into the pressurecavity; an air channel coupled to the actuation chamber; a plungerdisposed between the pressure cavity and the air channel, the plungerconfigured to seal the air channel when in a closed position and toallow pressurized air to flow through the air channel into the actuationchamber in an open position; and a pressure sensor configured to monitorair pressure in the pressure cavity.
 9. The system of claim 8, whereinthe actuation chamber is further defined by a sidewall extending fromthe top wall to the bottom wall and circumferentially around the cutterbody, and wherein the top portion of cutter body contacts the sidewallof the actuation chamber.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein theactuator further comprises: an O-ring disposed circumferentially aroundthe top portion of the cutter body and between the top portion of thecutter body and the sidewall of the actuation chamber.
 11. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the spring is configured to move from an uncompressedstate to a compressed state in response to the pressurized gas in theactuation chamber moving the cutter body in the first direction.
 12. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the actuator further comprises: a secondcutting edge extending from the bottom portion of the cutter body, thesecond cutting edge separated from the cutting edge by a distance. 13.The system of claim 8, wherein the cylinder holds a second pressurizedgas and the actuator further comprises: a gas outlet to vent the secondpressurized gas from the cylinder in response to the fracture disk beingbroken.
 14. A system, comprising: a cylinder having an opening; afracture disk coupled to the cylinder and over the opening; an actuatorconfigured to break the fracture disk, the actuator comprising: anactuation chamber configured to receive pressurized gas, the actuationchamber is partially defined by a top wall and a bottom wall; a cutterbody disposed within the actuation chamber between the top wall and thebottom wall, the cutter body including a top portion and a bottomportion; a central stem extending through the cutter body and contactingthe fracture disk; a cutting edge extending from the bottom portion ofthe cutter body and configured to break the fracture disk in response tomoving in a first direction; and a spring disposed between the topportion of the cutter body and the bottom wall of the actuation chamber.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the actuator further comprises: asecond cutting edge extending from the bottom portion of the cutterbody, wherein there is a distance between the cutting edge and thesecond cutting edge.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the centralstem further extends between the cutting edge and the second cuttingedge.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the actuator furthercomprises: a compression spring disposed between the central stem andthe top wall of the actuation chamber.
 18. The system of claim 14,wherein the fracture disk further comprises: a notch formed in a bottomsurface of the fracture disk, the notch configured to be inline with thecutting edge.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the cutter body isconfigured to move independent of the central stem.